Dark Knight review

I am one man in a sea of a million bloggers who are likely writing a review about Dark Knight as you read this. I don't know if what I can say will be more or less enlightened, or if it will merely come off as the ramblings of a mad douche.

Dark Knight is a perfect movie.

Fuck what anyone else says. Fuck if anyone thinks I am saying this because it is expected to like this movie. In fact, if anyone likes this movie JUST because of Ledger, or JUST because people tell you that you have to like it, then fuck you to.

Here are a few names other than Ledger that made this a perfect movie:

Morgan Freeman
Michael Caine
Aaron Eckhart
And especially Gary Oldmen

If you don't understand why Bale and Maggie aren't listed, then you don't know movies to well. Bale delivers a usable Batman, I like the guy! Really! But in Bat-Mode whenever he tries to sound intimidating it just sounds like a smokers cough through a shit covered rag. The fact that they allowed him to go around in a bat costume yelling out unintelligible jargen like, "Whhhhherreere AAhhhrrreeee Thhhheeeeeeyyyeyeye?!?!". Though I do really like his portrayal of Bruce Wayne, not gonna lie. The on screen chemistry between Alfred and Bruce is fantastic in both movies. So don't get me wrong... he is a good actor. He is just forced into bad dialogue. Maggie only proved the fact that the Rachael character was interchangable. It didn't really matter who said her lines. It's like it was merely neccesary for her words to fall across the screen and give anyone else a break between actual acting. You could have had generic actress A or B in said part and the results would have been the same.

Those are my ONLY complaints with the movie. And if that is all? Then what you have on your hands is a damn perfect movie. This film kept all of the great chemistry of the first one, and brought it in spades. One powerful scene after another, witty dialogue delivered perfectly on Ledgers behalf, acting that left me breathless, schocked, frightened and enlightened all in one film.

The strong influence by the Alan Moore's story Batman: The Killing Joke is evident in Ledgers portrayal of the Joker. And it was only until after seeing this movie the first time did I truly mourne the loss of Mr. Ledger. I have come across his works before in a merely dabbling sense, but this was the first role of this that touched me. It felt like Ledger was lost deep in that role, and I can hope that maybe somewhere he knows that he brought to life a creature on screen that has really changed how people view comic book movies.

I can only say that this movie stands up to many multiple viewing, at full price at the theater. And being a cheap guy, that is really hard for me to find a movie I like this much. This is a must see, must buy, must worship film. It will change how you see comics, and comic book films.

E3 Live Blog - Nintendo

12:08 pm: Cammy Dunaway takes the stage. She talks about having fun. Perhaps she's been playing the demo of Gears of War 2.

12:09 pm: She has noted that indeed, she is not Reggie Fils-Aime. Thanks for telling me.

12:10 pm: "Shaun White Snowboarding" unveiled. It is being demoed by S.W. himself. He has fun despite wiping out twice. It is Balance Board compatible. Ubisoft is the game's publisher.








12: 12 pm: Cammy gives the game a shot. She demos the Half-Pipe mode in the game. Overall, the game is impressive, but one's got to wonder how it will compete with SSX and We Ski. Shaun White Snowboarding releases "exclusively on the Wii this year's end."

12: 14 pm: Nintendo's Global President Satoru Iwata takes stage. He's talking about change in the industry. He looks like the guy in Brain Age. Oddly enough, he mentions the game as an example.

12: 16 pm: "Small things with small budgets can capture great audience if they have great idea," he says. Trying to defend Wii Fit as a game is like telling me O.J. was innocent. Sorry, Iwata.

12: 20 pm: **Uploaded images for Shaun White**

12: 22 pm: Iwata took a subtle, indirect stab at Microsoft for their "new" Avatar system (read: Fall). He thanks everyone for their time. Let's do it.

12: 23 pm: Animal Crossing Wii announced. Where was this 2 years ago??

12: 24 pm: Looks damn near like every other Animal Crossing. Nintendo is clearly "pulling a Madden" here.


12: 25 pm: "Wii Speak" unveiled - a wired mic for Wii. It's being demoed with Animal Crossing now. A group of players in the game goes fishing and communicates with one another via "Wii Speak." Online features? I swear I just heard online shop and player interaction.

12: 27 pm: Demo over. Animal Crossing shows potential. Reggie Fils-Aime now takes stage.

12: 29 pm: Usual sales numbers and charts are being discussed. 2007 was "supposed to be" the Peak year for the Nintendo DS. It wasn't.

12: 31 pm: "Pokemon" is apparently the franchise hit of the DS. I don't think Reggie has ever heard of Nintendogs.

12: 33 pm: Wii software sales are discussed. These numbers are skewed by Wii Play, because that accounts for...I don't know...all of it.

12: 34 pm: Reggie believes that third-party developers have found success on the Wii. I beg to differ.

12: 36 pm: "Star Wars: the Clone Wars" just announced. This is the "Lightsaber Game" that everyone will ask for later this year. Looks like fun!

12: 38 pm: "Surf the Skies" (Rayman series) announced. It is compatible with the balance board.

12: 39 pm: "Call of Duty: World at War" - compatible with the Wii Zapper. It looks like an N64 game.


12: 40 pm: Cammy takes the stage again. She talks about upcoming Nintendo DS titles. "Guitar Hero: On Tour Decades" is announced. Game developers briefly talk about a new feature called, "Song Sharing." The game hits this fall.

12: 41 pm: New Pokemon Ranger. New Guitar Hero. Spore Creatures. <--these are the highlights. I'm concerned about Cammy's voice as she said, "This is the only version of Spore that hits this year." Uh, oh.

12: 45 pm: GRAND THEFT AUTO: Chintatown Wars hits Nintendo DS this winter. Fucking aweome. Excellent job, Nintendo!


12: 48 pm: Wii: Motion Plus is briefly discussed by Reggie. He announces "Wii Sports: Resort." It will come packaged with a remote Jacket and the Motion Plus device.

12: 49 pm: A demo of one of the "mini-games" on WSR, Frisbee Toss, is shown. Cammy takes stage and expresses the detection of subtle movement with Motion Plus. She then successfully throws a frisbee to a dog.

12: 50 pm: Reggie now demos another part of WSR, Jet Ski. The game shows promise in terms of actual speed. I'm being sincere.

12: 51 pm: A third portion of WSR, Swordfight, is demoed between Reggie and Cammy. There is some serious applause from the audience. I hope that people still buy Star Wars. Nonetheless, this game will SELL.

12: 53 pm: Wii Sports: Resort hits "next spring." That means never.

12: 55 pm: Reggie says something new is coming. It's "sure to bring smiles." I better hear Zelda.

12: 56 pm: I hear drumming. This is what's "new." Call me crazy, crazier, perhaps.

12: 57 pm: Miyamoto comes on stage playing a virtual saxophone thing with his Wii Remote. Together with the drummer, this is "Wii Music." Actually, it sounds like Good Charlotte.









12: 59 pm: "Most rhythm games require you to play an instrument by pressing a button at a certain designated time." Right, this requires skill.

1:00 pm: "Wii Music" is about playing the notes you want. ((Translation: this is for people who can't beat Easy mode on Guitar Hero))

1:03 pm: The game will include a lesson mode. You can play drums, piano, violin, guitar, and more.I'm going out on a limb here, but I think in 5 years, no one will play any real instruments.

1:05 pm: A group of four is demos the Mario theme for "Wii Music." At least Nintendo has created music for their own rhythm game. I'm kind of hoping this is a foreshadowing to a new Mario game. (Edit: hope is lost)

1:08 pm: Reggie takes stage again. He mentions the word "fad" in regards to the Wii. He is completely unaware of his personal announcement that "Wii Music" being available this holiday season.

1:10 pm: Nintendo's conference has come to an end. Mario and Zelda must've been too sick to attend.


Thank you!

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E3: Microsoft Post-Conference Analysis (v. 2)

Top 3 Announcements:

• Avatar System w/ New Dashboard
  
• Gears of War 5 player co-op
  
• Xbox Live partnership with Netflix
  

I'm impressed...

• "You're in the Movies" w/ Vision Camera
• New Live Party System
• Fallout 3
  

I'm disappointed...

• "Lips" isn't too impressive
  
• No stage demo for Rock Band 2
• No Vision support for new Avatar System
  

My Fall/Winter Gaming Library:

E3: Microsoft Post-Conference Analysis

Top 3 Announcements:

• Final Fantasy XIII coming to Xbox 360
  
• New Dashboard Layout
• Gears of War 2 gets 5 player Co-op

I'm impressed...

• Fable 2 gets online co-op (drop in, drop out)
• Group chat system in Fall Update (8 players)
• Metallica full-album download for Guitar Hero: World Tour

I'm disappointed...

• No-Shows: Too Human, Halo Wars, & Alan Wake
  
• Resident Evil 5 releases in March (ouch!)
  
• No price adjustment for Arcade and Elite consoles
  

My Fall/Winter Gaming Library:

Project III: The Adventure/Platform

Title: Unlikely

Story: Ex-superhero, "Anonymous Man," is currently unemployed after suffering a career ending football injury. As a result, his resident city of Grimsmith is more open to crime.

Seizing the opportunity, mad scientist Frank Fiasco sets out to conquer the city. The only thing standing in Fiasco's way is...himself.

Fiasco may be clever, but he's accident prone. No matter how great his inventions are, they always fail. But...even with failure, his mission still succeeds.

• For example, he tested a robot to destroy cars in a desert junkyard. The robot short-circuited and fell on a mine, thereby causing an explosion which blew the place to bits.

As Fiasco aims for city-wide domination, the town rallies in support of their ex-superhero. They come up with the idea of building a "Super Wheelchair" for Anonymous Man, and hold a fundraiser for the cause. The fundraiser is a success and the wheelchair gets constructed.

Despite the wheelchair, Anonymous Man remains skeptical about his ability to defend the city. The only "power" he has is his eyesight, which in reality is simply a pair of reading glasses. Although this is nowhere close to any superhuman ability, Anonymous Man has believed otherwise since he was seven.

Armed with normality and a wheelchair with gadgets galore, Anonymous Man sets out to stop Fiasco once and for all.

(more details to come)

Gameplay:
Third-person adventure/platform.

(more details to come)

Project II: The RPG

Title: Cliche Hero

Story: A young boy embarks on a satirical journey parallel to the RPG standard - yielding a massive sword over his shoulder, he sets out on a series of quests which follow the unwritten rules of RPGs.

Blissfully unaware of these "coincidences," the boy continues his adventure to find the answers to: "Why?"

(more details to come)

Gameplay:
Action and Turn-Based RPG.

(more details to come)

Project I: The (Vampire) RTS

Title: Ignited Coalition


Story: Transylvania University is an accredited institution that has been around for nearly a century. Its commitment to offering education to local villagers and vampires has earned the school many awards and maintained a healthy relationship amongst its students. In the late 1700s, governor Samuel von Brukenthal (link) is the honored guest speaker to a graduating class. During his speech, the university is set ablaze, killing everyone inside.

After days of mourning and investigation, authorities schedule a meeting at the town hall. Locals are enraged and demand justice brought forth on the arsonist. Authorities then unveil the full details of their investigation, citing 3 suspects with possible motives each.


Which brings the game to you, the Arsonist. All that stands between you and Transylvania is the army you can produce by nightfall.


Gameplay:
The game is divided into two components - day and night. During the daytime, you build your castle and offensive units (humans). At night, you prepare those offensive units to attack an opposing force while simultaneously building defensive units (night creatures) for your castle.


Each full game period is set in a 24 hour (in-game) interval and can be customized in full. Examples are as follows:

-Player can change the interval based upon custom timings. The 24 hour clock can be a full day in real-life or even an hour (IRL).

-The hours of day and night can be adjusted. A player can set 15 of the hours in-game as daytime, 9 at night.

-Players can plan a battle to last for a maximum of 7 days (in-game). Each day of the week can be adjusted as illustrated above.

-Players can utilize the online "Weather.com" feature to use local day/night hours in game.


In terms of battle, the game defaults to a free-for-all of 4 players.


Playable Characters:
The Governor's Wife

• Customization Options
• Female character only
• Physical attributes (height, weight)
  
• Clothing options
  
• Traits - mob units receive attack bonus
  

Dracula Von Bloodlust (former T.U. student)

• Customization Options
• Male or Female
• Physical attributes (height, weight)
• Clothing options
• Traits - night-creatures receive defense bonus

Deputy Archfiend (local authorities)

• Customization Options
• Male character only
• Physical attributes (height, weight)
• Clothing options
• Traits - ability to produce units quicker coupled with faster unit movement
  

Controls:
-Fully customizable button-mapping
-Exponential control option
-Support for voice controls

Experience and Leveling:
Humans and Night-Creatures

• Unit Leaders
• Training for leaders and groups
• Stipulation - the leader must always be ranked higher than the group
• 5-point ranking system
• Groups can train in skills such as movement and attack

Units:
Humans - Torchers, Catapults, Archers, Pitchforks, Spears, Clubs, Axemen
Night Creatures - Vampires, Bats, Werewolves

Update!

Another term of college has officially concluded. Another summer has finally arrived.

I'm back.

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Guild list?

So it is now 3:30 in the morning and I'm actually sitting back looking over my aim list and how its actually broken down by guild... keep in mind the average daoc guild has about 8-10 other people and the average wow guild has about 40+ so lets play take a guess at how many people are on the altagrave screen name! Severed, Actus Reus, Solarius, Palodox, Tui Visio, Bhailigh Forsai, Toin Pulc, Eulogy II, Fist of the Mimir (FOTM), Lucidity (WoW), Armed & Dangerous (WoW), Adrenaline (WoW), We Are Kinda Awesome (WoW), Punch Him in the PvPness (WoW), Amnesty (WoW). Kinda strange to think the number of people I've met through gaming alone these past 6 years, yet have never actually me them face to face. I guess the point to all of this is this a common trend with the online era? Is it to be expected with this new electronic age to not even know what your friends actually look like now? Go go random 3am logic!

Microsoft Gamers' Day '08

...is tomorrow.


Well?!?! What can we expect to see/hear/find? Keep in mind, everything after the "YES" is purely speculative.


YES:

• Banjo-Kazooie 3
• Viva Pinata (sequel)
• Scene It? (sequel)
• Unveiling of "Lips"
• Unveiling of "Ninja Blade"

LIKELY:

• Fable 2 screens & video
• Alan Wake (details)

MAYBE:

• Xbox Live Spring Update (details)
• Official release date for Fable 2
• Collector's Edition for Fable 2
  

NOT LIKELY:

• Official release date for Alan Wake
• Announcement of price drop or holiday bundle(s)

NO:

• Conker sequel
• Killer Instinct 3
• Perfect Dark (anything)

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The cure for boredom?

It seems the more and more i game now a days the border I get. It’s to the point where it’s all been done before. I'm going through my 8th prestige in CoD4 now; the only saving grace to that game is the fact that it’s a way to chill with friends while relieving some stress by placing a bullet between the eyes of some random person. I could always go back to WoW but why? Playing for 2200-2300 arena ratings again with the hours of a full time job? Has the gaming world simply become stale with the same old rehashed themes, or am i expecting too much and simply need a new hobby?

COD4: Online Idea

Online Currency
---Let's say you'd like to enter Prestige mode, but you just don't want to "start over." How about this...

You play each game for XP/score and Bank. Your XP can never be lost, as it is there for statistical purposes.

Your bank is based off the amount of XP you gain from every match and challenge. Earn 100 XP, you earn 100 bank. So, how can the bank be used?

Why not trade it for Prestige? 125,000 bank nets you Prestige 2. Multiply it out for 3,4, etc. Simply put, a player could stay at level 55 and earn a Prestige icon next to his name without going into Prestige Mode.

Perhaps an in-game store where you can buy new weapons, perks, camo, and new suits for your character.


402/Infinity Ward, everything I've said is too good to be true unless you make it happen.

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Okami - Without a Brush!

Art/Sketch credited to Ed Lupp.

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COD4: Tip of the Day

The letter "M" by itself is harmless. Coupled with the number 16, however, it's lethal.

And gay.
I'm talking about the M-16: the most discussed weapon in Call of Duty 4. Of all the Assault Rifles, it is the best in accuracy, damage, range, and recoil. Only one burst and you're dead.

Some say that there is no way to beat this gun. I say, "Fuck them." Yes, I'm going to show you (multiple) ways to beat the M-16.

• Quit
• The easy way out. Save yourself the misery and move on.

• Fight Fire with Fire
  
• Pull out the M-16 yourself or pick one up.

• Fire on Top of Fire?
• Juggernaut. [*Caution: known side effects include sucking dick and interior decorating]

• Embarrassment
• Equip the most "noob" class ever. I mean, "MP44 with Bomb Squad and Eavesdrop." All it takes is one kill with this setup and magically, the opposing player will disappear.
  

• Teamwork
• It may take 3 of you to kill that 1 guy with an M-16, but the job was finished.

So that's it! Now, go show 'em who's straight!

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*Update*

The first debate headlining our "Partially Problematic" segment is well underway. Currently in draft status, it is sitting comfortably behind schoolwork. Yes, school comes first!

Grand Theft Auto: IV has a HUGE midnight release and all of us will be attending a local GameStop to purchase our copies.

A Glimpse into the Future:

• Publish of first debate
• More artwork
• More COD4 tips
• GTA: IV review

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Y'All Got Dat?

http://img293.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ygt2008winao1.jpg

Possibly this year's winner.

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This Lancer's My Lancer...

From the Escalation, to the Tyro Station.
Playin' Warzone,
Or Assassination...

This Lancer's made for you and me.

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COD4: Tip of the Day

Lately I've encountered more players using LMGs (Light Machine Guns). As a result, I'm constantly getting the "Spray and Pray" treatment.

As much as I find this annoying, one has to remember the 2 weaknesses of an LMG user - mobility and reload time. Let's exploit 'em.

Equipping 3x Stun Grenades to Perk 1 is just nasty. Toss one at an LMG noob and he couldn't shake a drop of piss from his c**k.

It's easy to catch one in the middle of a reload, but for insult to injury...

Should you walk over an LMG, swap it for out your pistol. Now, empty the clip of the LMG. You know that LMG guy is gonna stumble upon it at some point for more ammo...when he picks it up, he'll be forced to reload. Bait...and switch.


Enjoy!
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Heavenly Sword

Art/Sketch credited to Bridget Moran.

WoW bordem

So after playing World of Warcraft for a little less than a month again, its become shockingly painful to realize that all the game is now is a cooldown dump. The matches have steadily degraded from well timed CC (crowd control) and steady damage, to a cooldown dump. Taking too much damage? BoP + PS. Need that damage burst? PI + heroism/blood lust. Just taking time to vent, wts cooldowns.

Competition!

Art/Sketch credited to Ed Lupp.

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The World According to Ed...

...the next iteration of Rockstar's Midnight Club series just got an official release date.

For more info, click here.

"Back in the day..." I held numerous records for online wins and time trials. To my knowledge, 3 of my fastest times have yet to be beaten.

My vehicle of choice? Not the fastest car in the game, the Lamborghini Murcielago:










September is going to own. And so am I.
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We Have an Artist!

Art/Drawing credited to Bridget Moran

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Update

Shockingly, I'm a currently full-time student. For those of you who actually read this blog, I apologize for the lack of updates. Shortly, however, I will get the ball rolling.

I have preview of things to come:

• "Partially Problematic" - the title of the upcoming debate sessions between me and my fiance, Bridget. We'll be going head-to-head on such topics as "Oblivion: RPG or Adventure game?" and "Casual Games - good or bad for the industry?"

• Artwork - submissions of game-inspired drawings and sketches.

• Charlie Oscar Delta - my look into the world of Call of Duty 4. Remember, you can always visit the forums.

Thanks!

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Live Blogging - Idiots Next to Me

The following is a conversation of these two retards (morons, dumbasses, etc.) sitting next to me in the Computer Lab...

Woman: So what classes you be takin'?
Man: Man, like all of 'em.

Woman: Like Maf' and shit?
Man: I dunno, I ain't even registered yet.

Woman: When you gettin' signeded up?
Man: I think today, I not sure.

Woman: Ahh, dats coo'.
Man: I guess. Wutchu be needin'?

Woman: Well I just switched my major to Business.
Man: Oh, why's dat?

Woman: Cuz of my pregnancy and shit.
Man: Dats coo'.

Woman: Where da' baf-room a'?
Man: Shiiiiiiiit...

Woman: Let's go find it and prin' dis shi' oww.
Man: A'ite.


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Houston, Wii Have a Problem...

Wii-make (n.) - A slang used to describe a video game (or series of such) that has been redone or reworked to play on the Nintendo Wii. Typically used in derogatory fashion, Wii-makes are often used to "milk franchises" and/or are viewed as "Garbage from 360/PS3."

For every word in this sentence, I can find a Nintendo "Wii-make."

Big Brain Academy, Destroy All Humans, Fire Emblem, House of the Dead, Legend of Zelda, Mario Kart, Mario Party, Mario Strikers, Okami, Pokemon Battle Revolution, Resident Evil 4, and Wario Ware

But...who am I to argue? The Nintendo Wii is still selling at the speed of light, their software developers are amazing (Godlike?) in the midst of out-running(?) Microsoft and Sony.

Previously, I stipulated that for each of my "Next/New-Gen" blogs, each console was grated only one freebie in the Flame War(s). Well, f**k that. I'll take as many cheap shots at Nintendo as I want.

Let's begin...

• Online service needs a makeover - badly.
  
1. Voice chat in any online multiplayer game is no longer an option, it's necessary.
   
2. Out with friend codes - the only numbers that should be in your online name are 420 and 69.
   
3. Still concerned about the well-being of your audience? Start with an online service charge, give us a quick-mute (voice) option, and sell headsets to people 18 and up.
   

• There is a place for all of those mini-game compilations.
  
1. The trash.
2. Take every one of those developers and have them work on finding those last-minute bugs/glitches in a soon-to-be-release game; or form a NEW development team and put them to work on a BRAND NEW game/series.
   

• Reinvent the term "Killer App."
  
1. It's disturbing that (virtually) every Wii owner thinks the only game on the console is Wii Sports. This is a terrible realization because those (every) Wii owner won't buy any software thinking they've already got the best title.
2. Smash Brothers isn't your saving grace. Neither is Wii Fit. (O RLY?)
3. The point is that people need to start buying the Wii for its game library, not its Nintendo Fanboy base. Having AAA-quality titles seriously helps the cause.
   

• Fulfill your promises!
  
1. Such as bundling a Wii Zapper feat. "Link's Crossbow Training" with your console.
2. Your online act is as together as these guys. When I have to make an account with EA in order to "experience" and play one of their (Wii) games online, you should send me a rope to hang myself.
   

• Forgiveness starts with...
  
1. Rechargeable battery packs that comes standard with each console.
2. Elite Beat Agents - port it to the Wii. Yes, I'm aware of my own contradiction, but with the impending release of Wii Fit, this would be a great way to attract some of those "hardcore" gamers.
3. Players' choice titles. Hi, Zelda! Could I interest you in a new price tag? Say, $19.99?
   

• Better Control Options
  
1. Custom sensitivity being a standard for each game.
2. Classic controller support being a (you guessed it), standard as well.
3. GameCube controller support for each Nintendo-made game.
   

There you have it, Nintendo - the Aces up your sleeve. Wanna take me to Vegas? This time, we'll ditch my date with Microsoft.


Sony steps up to the plate,

Coming up next...

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Link of the Day

http://sarcasticgamer.com/wp/index.php/2008/03/bfbcs-dlc-is-just-plain-bs.html

Boycott EA and Battlefield: Bad Company!

Why pay real money for an in-game item that has "no advantage" what-so-ever? Perhaps I should have asked that question someone that plays World of Warcraft.

All-in-all, it's just another reason to hate EA.

For the record, the BFBC: Beta sucks; shitty movement, poor gun sounds, and seriously horrid map/level design. If you don't want to boycott the game because of EA's "rich" idea, simply boycott it because of shoddy game development.

Have at it!

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'Til (Red Ring of) Death Do Us Part...

Microsoft's Xbox 360 has some serious step climbing if it wants to (continue?) come out on top. For the most part, what Microsoft is doing is being done right; but damn it, even the prettiest of girls need make-up sometimes.

My brain is being lazier today than usual - I can't even count the blinking red lights on my 360 (kidding)...

...Now a minute and a half later, I've realized that what each console needs is some f***ing POWERTHIRST. I'm not saying that Nintendo needs a Wii-mote made of biceps or that Sony needs a processor made from a spinning wheel and Kenyans; but...nevermind, that processor idea rocks.


With the lack of a hardcore announcer and some illustrations, I'll just do this the old-fashioned, semi-editorial way:

• Redo the multiple 360 SKUs, again.
  
1. Get rid of the "Core" package.
2. Price drop the "Pro" to $299 and the Elite for $399. Each comes packaged with a copy of Lego Star Wars II (read).
3. Simply bundle the "Limited" Halo Edition it with a copy of Halo 3 and maintain the price tag of $399.
   

• Microsoft should buy Clover Studios (now PlatinumGames)
1. MS' portfolio of Xbox 360 games includes Crackdown and Forza Motorsport 2. Those of you who say otherwise need to learn about this thing called, "exclusivity."
2. Okami was easily one of the best games on PS2. Those eager fans who ironically have yet to make a next-gen console purchase, will flock to the 360 knowing that behind the shadows of Gears of War and Mass Effect lies a gem from Clover.
   

• Utilize the acquisition of Rare, Ltd.
1. Awesome games are not being made any more. Fix it. Please.
   
2. Use the Rare license to spawn sequels of known, awesome games (like Banjo-Kazooie and Conker) to free up development for new (IPs) first-party titles.

• Put my money where your "organization" is!
1. As cool as the Fall Update was, there's still some things left to sort out. It's frustrating scrolling through 400 (or so) games with the absence of a "Sort" feature.
2. Make each background (per blade) customizable. Some people actually paid for a theme - it would be nice to grant them the ability to put images where they see fit.

• Find the middle-ground between Microtransactions and your consumer base.
1. My proposal is a one-time, annual fee for unlimited Marketplace downloads for movies, music, and television. Now it's a matter of finding a price point. Another $20 a year can be more than a steal.
2. Both Gears of War and Halo 3 have accomplished the "free content...after (insert date here)." This needs to become a standard for games. Now all you have to do is find, wait for it...another medium! How about 120 days?
   

• Perform (monthly) price-checks and changes on Xbox Live Arcade titles.
1. The best-sellers shouldn't be in the Bargain Bin. Come to think of it, "Bargain Bin" is just a nice way of saying, "This game sucks - even for $5."
   
2. Expansion packs for arcade games should follow suit to the second bulleted item listed above. I'm not paying the 100 (whatever) points for my extra costumes for 3D Mini Golf. Come to think of it, I don't know anyone who would.

• WILD CARD: New Game Fuel.
1. Halo 3 Game Fuel (from Mountain Dew) was bad ass...and history repeats itself.
2. Well, then Halo 3 would suck! Oh, wait a minute.
3. Look - Gears of War 2 is out this November. I can see it now..."Gears of War Fuel: Now available in CHAINSAW!"

Not entirely "new," I suppose.

Thank you, Nintendo. Now get to the bullpen.


Coming up next...


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Theory of Evolution - Courtesy of 2P Start

The "Next-Gen" Trio Blog

Perhaps the title is a bit misleading, as Nintendo "is not what's next; it's what's new."

Starting later today, I'll be sharing my thoughts on what each of the "Next/New-Gen" console manufacturers needs to do for a successful year.

Kicking off the trio will be Microsoft (alphabetical order).










The standards will be as follows:

• A presentable (bulleted/numbered) list of no higher than ten (10) items for each blog.
• Citations are required for clarification and reference purposes.
• Each respective console's blog is granted one (and only one) "Flame War" argument.

Microsoft gets the call to the bullpen,

Coming up next...

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EAL